How One Dive Bomber Sank Two Aircraft Carriers at Midway

On June 4, 1942, during the Battle of Midway, Lt. Richard Best, piloting an SBD Dauntless bomber, faced Japan’s formidable Kidō Butai fleet. This critical battle would turn the tide of the Pacific War.

Midway Under Attack

The Japanese launched a massive assault on Midway Island, but despite heavy bombardment, the island’s airstrips remained operational. American forces retaliated fiercely, downing multiple Japanese aircraft and keeping pressure on the enemy.

The Battle Begins

Lt. Best, flying from the USS Enterprise, was part of a strike group targeting the Japanese carriers. Miscommunication split the squadrons, diverting most planes to the carrier Kaga. Best, realizing the error, signaled an abort but was ignored. With only two wingmen, he pressed on toward his original target, the Akagi.

Under intense anti-aircraft fire, Best made a near-impossible hit. His bomb penetrated Akagi‘s flight deck and detonated in the hangar, contributing to its eventual destruction. Returning to the Enterprise, Best prepared for another strike.

Final Mission

That afternoon, Best likely hit the Hiryū, the last active Japanese carrier, becoming the only pilot to bomb two carriers in one day. However, this historic feat came at a cost. During his return flight, his oxygen system malfunctioned, releasing toxic sodium hydroxide. Inhaling the fumes triggered dormant tuberculosis, causing severe lung damage.

Richard Best’s combat career ended that day. He spent years in treatment before retiring from the Navy in 1944. For his extraordinary bravery, Best received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Navy Cross, cementing his legacy as a hero of the Battle of Midway.